QUICK NEWS, 8-5: NEW ENERGY IN A COWBOY STATE; $98MIL BP BUY OF NEXT-GEN BIOFUELS; CALIF CANCELS PACE; LITHIUM BATTERIES GETTING CHEAPER

NEW ENERGY IN A COWBOY STATE
Renewable Energy and Texas' Future
Representative Tan Parker, 4 August 2010 (The Cross Timbers Gazette)

"…I want to discuss how the state of Texas plans to lower the cost of energy by reducing our dependency on fossil fuels and replacing it with renewable sources of energy.

"…[T]he energy industry in Texas accounts for twenty-five percent of the nation's natural gas and twenty percent of U.S. oil production. Texas truly does have a great story of pursuing energy development and emerging as a leader in the field of fossil fuels. However, a new story about Texas' energy supply is on the horizon, renewable energy."

Texas has more installed wind capacity than most countries. (click to enlarge)

"…Texas has more renewable energy potential than any other state in the nation…[It] is in a prime position to: lessen our dependence on foreign oil and diminishing fossil fuel supplies, strengthen our state's economic development, improve our environmental impact, and provide more cost competitive energy resources.

"In 2005, Texas set a goal of attaining 10,000 megawatts of renewable energy for electricity by 2025. As of 2008, Texas was generating more than 5,880 megawatts of renewable energy (the 2015 goal)…[and was] well on its way to reaching and exceeding the 2025 goal. The success in 2008 was largely due to the wind energy industry, which provided over 6,000 megawatts of power to Texas, or enough electricity to power 1,350,000 households for an entire year. Texas has been the leading state in wind power development since 2006…Over 10,000 wind energy jobs have already been created in Texas, with a projection of 41,000 more jobs in the future. Higher education institutions have begun to format degrees specifically for the wind industry. Texas Tech and Texas State Technical Colleges have joined together to launch the Texas Wind Energy Institute, where students can learn specialties in the wind power sector."

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"…Texas [also] ranks first in the nation in solar resource potential. In 2009, Texas ranked thirteenth among the states for solar energy production, but new plans among municipalities and rural areas will help raise Texas' rank…San Antonio and Austin have signed contracts to buy power from solar power plants that are being built here…[which will] generate up to 60 megawatts, helping to contribute to Texas' 2025 goal. These new facilities will also spur job creation and Texas universities are ready to train future employees through newly created renewable energy programs.

"…[T]here is still an even larger market here in Texas for additional renewable energy resources. There is so much left to discover and develop in this area and Texas is the state leading the way in diversifying its energy portfolio…I believe the renewable energy industry will play a significant role in the future economic development and energy independence of our great state…"


$98MIL BP BUY OF NEXT-GEN BIOFUELS
…BP to acquire Verenium's cellulosic biofuels business…Verenium to receive $98.3 million…
July 15, 2010 (PR Newswire)

"…BP Biofuels North America [recently acquired Verenium Corporation]'s cellulosic biofuels business, including facilities in Jennings, LA and San Diego, CA for $98.3 million…Verenium will retain its commercial enzyme business, including its biofuels enzymes products and have the right to develop its own lignocellulosic enzyme program. Verenium will also retain select R&D capabilities, as well as rights to access select biofuels technology developed by BP using the technology it is acquiring from Verenium…"

[Carlos A. Riva, President/CEO, Verenium:] "We are very pleased that our strategic development partnership with BP has successfully advanced our cellulosic ethanol technology to the cusp of commercialization…We believe that BP is the right company to…expedite the commercialization of the technology."

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[Philip New, CEO, BP Biofuels:] "This acquisition demonstrates BP's intent to be a leader in the cellulosic biofuels industry in the U.S. and positions us as one of the few global companies with an integrated end-to-end capability, from R&D through commercialization to distribution and blending…By acquiring Verenium's cellulosic biofuels technologies, BP Biofuels should be well placed to accelerate the delivery of low cost, low carbon, sustainable biofuels, at scale."

"BP will become the sole investor in Vercipia Biofuels, a 50-50 joint venture formed by BP and Verenium in February 2009, and will independently manage all of Vercipia's activities going forward. Similarly, Galaxy Biofuels, a 50-50 joint development company owned by BP and Verenium, will be owned 100% by BP. This transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2010…"


CALIF CANCELS PACE
California Energy Commission Cancels PACE Solicitation
2 August 2010 (Solar Industry)

"The California Energy Commission (CEC) has cancelled a $30 million solicitation that would have supported property-assessed clean energy (PACE) programs in 23 counties and 184 cities. The CEC's action, which responded to roadblocks created by recent actions of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), ended awards to five local governments and jurisdictions that were using PACE financing as the cornerstone of their county and statewide energy investment programs.

"On July 6, the FHFA reversed its earlier position and damaged the authority of local governments to issue priority lien tax assessments by directing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to take punitive actions against homeowners who live in communities that participate in PACE financing programs…The FHFA had originally stated that lenders should treat PACE assessments as any tax or assessment that may take priority over Fannie Mae's lien."

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"Five local governments…would have established PACE programs in 23 counties and 184 cities [would have] received $30 million…These entities were expected to leverage $370 million, create 4,353 jobs, save more than 336 million kWh of energy, and avoid the emissions of 187,264 tons of greenhouse gasses for the first two years of the program…"

[Karen Douglas, Chair, CEC:] "The governor, California's Congressional delegation, the state legislature, the attorney general and 21 states recognize the crucial value PACE financing offers and are working with the White House to address the FHFA PACE financing issues…We are optimistic that this issue will be resolved…Given, however, the strict deadlines for expanding Recovery Act funds, the Energy Commission must act quickly…in a way that supports and allows additional financing options, including PACE…[to be] protected…"


LITHIUM BATTERIES GETTING CHEAPER
Lithium Battery Prices on Slow Decline; Chinese manufacturing advantage seen disappearing
Mark Boslet, August 3, 2010 (Greentech Media)

"Car makers are becoming increasingly comfortable with the capabilities of the lithium batteries they once considered risky and unproven.

"But they worry it will still be years before price declines permit electric vehicles to compete effectively with gasoline-powered models without subsidies. Several vehicle designers…[say] prices could fall 50 percent to 75 percent -- but only over the next five to 10 years…Lithium-ion battery prices today are generally said to be between $500 and $1,000 a kilowatt-hour…[for] an average price of $750. They have declined over the past couple years as stimulus money allocated worldwide lifted production volumes."

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"…Prices could drop to between $350 and $400 a kilowatt-hour in five years…[and some] see price declines to $250 by 2020 (even as energy density improves 30 percent to 50 percent)…At prices below $300 a kilowatt-hour, car makers see an electric car competing effectively with gasoline vehicles without subsidies.

"Perhaps most surprising is that the Chinese cost advantage seems to be disappearing as lithium-ion battery production expands in the United States and elsewhere…Eighteen months ago, Chinese manufacturers touted costs that were significantly lower."


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"…This was in part because some manufacturers didn't incorporate warranties. Other producers sold close to 100 percent of their production, even if some of it did not live up to quality standards…[but] costs have risen slightly and are comparable -- or between $500 and $1,000 a kilowatt-hour…[because] American manufacturers increased production volumes and lowered costs even while improving manufacturing processes, so discards -- which previously could account for 25 percent of volume -- fell.

"At the same time, Chinese companies spent money to improve quality standards in order to match the yields at American-owned factories. They also began to offer warranties."